Paavo Nurmi Marathon

The Paavo Nurmi Marathon is a summer road marathon held annually in Turku, Finland, the birthplace of its namesake. Taking place in August, it coincides with the Paavo Nurmi Games, forming part of the larger Paavo Nurmi week. This timing emphasizes the race's connection to Turku’s established long-distance running tradition. The route crosses Turku’s city streets before extending into Ruissalo park, offering a mix of urban and natural scenery. Marathon racing has a history in Turku predating this event, which started in the early 1990s. The field typically numbers between 500 and 1,000 participants, a more intimate size compared to major city marathons. Course records are competitive for a Nordic event, standing below 2:19 for men and 2:38 for women.